"Poor, disappointing experience."

29+1 weeks pregnant & I called the maternity helpline because I had not felt my baby move for approximately 4hrs. She usually has a good wriggle and boots with all her might around 9:30pm onwards. I had just finished a 12.5hr shift (I’m an intensive care nurse). I took to eating some ice, got partner to speak to belly and moved around a bit to no avail of feeling her move - it became quite concerning. I called the maternity helpline which was now 01:51am (I have the call stored in my phone). I had my phone on loudspeaker so my partner could hear also. I was answered by what came across as a very abrupt person which in my opinion sounded like I had just woken her from a break. That or she was really tired. I explained my concern and she had the audacity to tell me I hadn’t felt any movement because it was late and that I’d probably been sleeping and therefore not been feeling her movements. Even my partner looked at me in shock. I explained I had not been sleeping - hence the call and she then told me it was probably best then if I came in to triage. We made our way over to QCCH (which I must say was a mission to find the actual unit when there was nobody around at such a time in the morning).

When we arrived, I was let in (by whom I assumed was a midwife but no name or greeting was made). My partner was told to stay outside in the corridor. I was then told to sit on this chair and she attached some monitoring equipment to me. My vital obs were taken at the same time. I remember feeling uncomfortable in the chair and asked if I could move to be told that I shouldn’t really as it would affect the monitoring which was difficult to obtain. She eventually held the monitors in place whilst I shuffled into a better position. Before she left, she told me to let her know when the green light came on. To me at this point, I had no idea ‘what’ green light I was looking out for and didn’t even know her name to ‘tell her’. I asked her what her name was and she told me and I asked where I was looking for this green light.

This is not my specialty whatsoever. I had no idea how long I would be waiting for this green light (later to figure out that it would be an hour of monitoring). My partner was messaging me to see if we were okay and then she asked if I could refrain from using my phone as it was interfering with the monitoring. He was left outside with no communication of what was happening.

No refreshment was offered and practically zero communication made throughout the process. I was so anxious.

After the hour was up, she informed me that it was an abnormal CTG & that the Dr would have to be called. Whilst waiting, I went out to inform my partner. Approx. 20mins later, she informed us that that if we were happy, we could go home as the Dr had apparently said it was my first time for not feeling any movement. Totally absurd. I ended up speaking with her about my disappointment in which she apologised. But the whole process was absolutely appalling.